Both current U.S. senators were appointed

One interesting wrinkle behind the political theater over whether Democrats will change the rules for filling U.S. Senate vacancies is that both incumbent senators, Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez, took office as gubernatorial appointees to fill a vacancy.

Menendez was appointed in 2006 by freshly minted Gov. Jon Corzine to replace … former Sen. Jon Corzine, who switched jobs before completing his single term in the U.S. Senate. Menendez served the final year of Corzine’s term and won a 6-year term in his own right in 2006 over state Sen. Thomas Kean Jr.

Lautenberg was appointed in 1982 by … then-Gov. Thomas Kean, the state senator’s father. Lautenberg had already won election to a 6-year term that was to begin in January 1983, but in late December the appointee then holding the Senate seat — Nicholas Brady, named by Gov. Kean to fill a vacancy created when longtime Democratic senator Harrison Williams Jr. resigned due to his role in the Abscam scandal — stepped down to enable Kean to appoint Lautenberg to the Senate a week early, giving him a slight advantage in Senate seniority rules.

Lautenberg was sworn into office in Colorado, where he was on a ski vacation. He later retired rather than seek re-election in 2000 (and with that, forfeited that all-important Senate seniority), opening up a seat captured by … Wall Street investment banker Jon Corzine.

And the political circle of life is complete.

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About Michael Symons

Michael Symons has covered seven governors while working in Gannett's Statehouse Bureau -- a stint which actually only stretches back to 2000, but the door revolves quickly in New Jersey politics. He's co-author of the biography "Chris Christie: The Inside Story of His Rise to Power."

2 Responses to Both current U.S. senators were appointed

Please also note that against the bylaws of the state constitution Lautenberg was allowed to assume Toricelli’s position for the contested election forSenafor. Thanks to the State Supreme Court. Somehow the events of the last decade are forgotten in an attempt to make this a political statement.

I haven’t checked in here for some time because I thought it was getting boring, but the last few posts are good quality so I guess I’ll add you back to my everyday bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂

About this Blog

A second look at news, and not-quite-news, on New Jersey, its politics and government, from the Statehouse Bureau of New Jersey Press Media.

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During the past month, Gov. Chris Christie has been to several states for fundraisers and he is now in Mexico on a trade mission. Do you approve of all these travels?

No. He should stay home and focus on New Jersey’s problems.

Yes. I think he would make a great president, and these visits help lay the groundwork for his candidacy.

No. He would make a terrible president and he should stop trying to dupe people into believing in him.

Yes. His visits help raise the profile of New Jersey and can only help the state.

About the Authors

Bob JordanBob Jordan has covered state, county and muncipal governments for the past 10 years. He has also covered the gaming industry and has been a sports team beat writer for NHL, NBA and major league baseball teams.E-mail Bob

John SchoonejongenJohn Schoonejongen is state editor for Gannett New Jersey newspapers. He has reported and edited at New Jersey newspapers from Salem County to Passaic County, writing about everything from state politics to lost pigs on the Delaware Memorial Bridge. Born in Camden County, he still speaks with a southern New Jersey accent, much to his wife's annoyance.E-mail John

Michael SymonsMichael Symons has covered seven governors while working in Gannett's Statehouse Bureau -- a stint which actually only stretches back to 2000, but the door revolves quickly in New Jersey politics. He's co-author of the biography "Chris Christie: The Inside Story of His Rise to Power."E-mail Michael